Honorary awards

Ms Antionette Braybrook AM for outstanding commitment to social justice, advocacy and service to Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Peoples over two decades, and a vision and leadership in establishing the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, Djirra.

Dr Bryan Keon-Cohen KC AM for distinguished service to Australian society and the law as junior counsel in each of the Eddie Mabo cases; and for tireless and continued advocacy for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people under native title legislation as that legislation has evolved since the recognition of native title and the debunking of terra nullius in the Mabo case.

Professor Mukti Kanta Mishra for outstanding achievements in education, skill development and social entrepreneurship in India and his contribution to Deakin University’s partnership initiatives in India over 15 years.

Elaine Carbines AM for distinguished service to Geelong and the Barwon Region, especially in the areas of regional development, support of Deakin University and protection of the environment.

Kathy Grigg for distinguished service to the community, especially in regional economic development, and for eminent service to Deakin University as a member of the University Council from 2009 to 2021 and as Deputy Chancellor from 2017 to 2021.

Shane Howard AM for his distinguished career in the Australian music industry through production, song writing and performance (with Goanna) and for continued advocacy for Australia’s Indigenous community and the environment through his music.

Phillipa Kelly for distinguished service to the community in a range of business leadership positions and for eminent service to the governance of Deakin University as a member of the University Council from 2010 to 2021 and Deputy Chancellor from 2019 to 2021.

Noel Miller for distinguished service to Geelong and Deakin in engineering education and research, leading to the establishment of an engineering school at Deakin and to an exceptionally strong research collaboration between Ford and Deakin that has spanned four decades and continues today.

Peter Niblett for his eminent contribution to Geelong and region and to Deakin University as a distinguished graduate and the first alumnus appointed to the University Council and for providing distinguished service as a member of Council from 2009 to 2019 and Deputy Chancellor in 2019.

Mr S. (Subramanian) Ramadorai for his distinguished lifetime achievement as a business leader, his commitment to technological innovation to drive positive social outcomes and his inspiring role in the development of educational programs to increase opportunities for young people.

Professor Jane den Hollander AO was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for her outstanding services to Deakin University as Vice-Chancellor from 2010 to 2019 and in recognition of her sustained contribution to Australian education, advancing diversity and inclusion in society and inspiring women to leadership positions.

Professor Robert D. Howe was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for his eminent contribution to biomedical research and outstanding achievements in biorobotics innovation that bring advanced, safe and cost-effective medical imaging and robotic surgery and rehabilitation technologies to society.

Jenny Grenfell was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate in recognition of her lifetime commitment as a champion of art and arts education and her significant contribution to building Deakin’s reputation for innovation and excellence in the discipline of education.

Aunty Geraldine Atkinson was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for her outstanding contribution to Indigenous education.

Andrew Fairley AM was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for distinguished service to Deakin University and the community in a range of professional and philanthropic leadership positions.

Melinda Smith OAM was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for her outstanding contribution to the arts and her tireless work in breaking down barriers to inclusion for people with disability both in Australia and internationally.

Robert Costa was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for his significant and sustained commitment to shaping the future of Geelong through his invaluable contributions to a range of community organisations.

Helene Bender OAM was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for distinguished service to the governance of Deakin University as a member of the University Council from 2008 to 2018 and as Deputy Chancellor from 2010 to 2016, and for her significant contribution to the Geelong community and especially charitable causes.

Peter Meehan was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for distinguished service to the governance of Deakin University as a member of the University Council from 2007 to 2018 and as Deputy Chancellor from 2011 to 2018.

Professor Richard Tinning was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for his eminent contribution and leadership in social critical scholarship in health and physical education.

Magistrate Rosemary Falla was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate in recognition of her distinguished career in law, which saw her become the first Indigenous Magistrate appointed in Victoria, and her service to the community through the establishment of the first Koorie Courts in Victoria.

Jill Smith was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for her distinguished service to the Victorian arts and cultural sector - its artists, organisations and audiences; and to the City of Geelong, in particular, where her work has contributed to Geelong's profile as a cultural and innovation hub.

Andrew Norton was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for services to the Australian Higher Education Sector through policy leadership and research over a sustained period.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for her pioneering entrepreneurial role in biotechnology and her sustained and significant contribution to university and industry connections between India and Australia.

Peter Norden AO was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for eminent and sustained service to the Australian non-government sector in the field of community services.

Tony Ellwood AM was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for outstanding leadership in the arts and arts education programs.

Todd Harper was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for his outstanding contributions and commitment to public health and for his willingness to be innovative and brave in advocating for public health.

Professor Mervyn King SC was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for his eminent international achievements in corporate governance, corporate law and accounting and his significant contribution to corporate social responsibility and sustainable long-term economic growth globally.

Jane Martin was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for her significant and sustained contribution to public health and her evidence-based advocacy for policies to prevent obesity in Australia, particularly in children.

The Hon Dr Barry Jones AC was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for his eminent contribution to promoting innovation, science and evidence-based policies in Australia as a public intellectual and Science Minister from 1983 to 1990; for his influential advocacy for educational opportunities in regional Australia including in Sleepers, Wake! (1982); and for his championing of new ideas and initiatives to prepare us for the jobs and opportunities of the future.

Elizabeth Broderick AO was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for her outstanding contribution to gender equality, the prevention of discrimination and violence, and to driving progressive social change.

His Excellency Charles Lepani CBE was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for distinguished services to Papua New Guinea and its people for more than four decades, and for enhancing Australia's understanding of our closest neighbour as High Commissioner for PNG to Australia in the past decade.

Dr Viswanathan Mohan was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for his outstanding service to people with diabetes in India and other developing countries and his exceptional scholarship in the global field of diabetes research.

Professor Budaraju Srinivasa Murty was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for his significant contribution as a researcher in the field of advanced materials with particular emphasis on high entropy alloys.

Paul Tobias was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for outstanding contribution to promoting equality, tolerance and diversity in boys' education.

The Hon Judith Troeth AM was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for eminent public leadership as a Senator in the Australian parliament for eighteen years and as influential advocate for education, human rights and for increasing the number of women in parliament and in senior political positions.

Jenni Lightowlers was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for outstanding service to Deakin University as Deputy Chancellor from 2008 to 2015, as a member of University Council from 2004 to 2015 and for significant and sustained contribution to research in Australia as an expert advisor on innovation and commercialisation.

David Morgan AO was awarded the first of the University’s new-style honorary doctorates, the Deakin Honorary Doctorate, for outstanding service to Deakin University as Chancellor from 2006 to 2015 and as a member of the University Council from 2000 to 2015, and for championing the Geelong region and its transition to new manufacturing and knowledge industries.

Lieutenant General David Morrison AO (Retd) was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for outstanding leadership in the Australian Army and broader community, especially in combating discrimination and sexism.

Emeritus Professor Gillian Triggs was awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for her eminent contribution to education, advocacy and public service in the field of human rights and international law.